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© 2025. This work is published under http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0 (the “License”). Notwithstanding the ProQuest Terms and Conditions, you may use this content in accordance with the terms of the License.

Abstract

The objective of this study is to assess the influences of soil index properties, swelling parameters, and soil mineralogy on unsaturated shear strength parameters (ϕ‘, ϕb, c‘) of compacted expansive soils. The laboratory tests include the grain size distribution, specific gravity (Gs), Atterberg limits, swelling potential, X-ray diffraction, modified Proctor compaction, soil suction, and triaxial testing. MINITAB 19 statistical analysis software generates the tri-dimensional surface graphs. The values ϕ‘, ϕb, and c‘ are majorly influenced by water (%), Gs, and clay (%). ϕ‘ shows a strong correlation with free swell ratio (FSR), free swell index (FSI), and void ratio. ϕb demonstrates a strong relationship with liquid limit, plasticity index, and γd (dry unit weight). ϕ‘ and c‘ portray a moderate relationship with liquid limit, plasticity limit, and γd. ϕ‘ exhibits a moderate correlation with smectite (%) and plagioclase (%). ϕb describes a strong relationship with smectite (%) and a moderate correlation with plagioclase and K-feldspar (%). c‘ depicts a moderate correlation with smectite (%), K-feldspar (%), and plagioclase (%). The matric suction controls the behaviour of unsaturated soils. Nonetheless, the influences of soil index properties, swelling potential, and mineralogy on shear strength are not marginal. These findings provide a good insight into the behaviour of unsaturated expansive soils and contribute to enhancing geotechnical modelling.

Details

Title
Relationships between Shear Strength Parameters with Mineralogy and Index Properties of Compacted, Unsaturated Soils
Author
Armand Augustin Fondjo 1 ; Vanapalli, Sai K 2 ; Ray, Richard P 3 ; Theron, Elizabeth 1 

 Department of Civil Engineering. Faculty of Engineering, Built Environment & Information Technology. Central University of Technology, Free State, South Africa 
 Department of Civil Engineering, University of Ottawa, Canada 
 Structural and Geotechnical Engineering Department, Széchenyi István Egyetem University, 9026 Gyor, Egyetem tér 1, Hungary 
Pages
65-88
Publication year
2025
Publication date
2025
Publisher
De Gruyter Poland
ISSN
01376365
e-ISSN
2083831X
Source type
Scholarly Journal
Language of publication
English
ProQuest document ID
3206901783
Copyright
© 2025. This work is published under http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0 (the “License”). Notwithstanding the ProQuest Terms and Conditions, you may use this content in accordance with the terms of the License.